Tuesday night at a Menteng coffee shop in Jakarta, a group of football fans watched the live broadcast of Germany against Switzerland. On the screen, Julian Nagelsmann's expression remained sharp: no relief smile, no relaxation. He continued to give instructions, controlled the tempo, and demanded precision. Germany was already safe in the knockout stage โ but for Nagelsmann, that was not a reason to reduce standards. "We want to win every match. That is our standard," he said after the game, as reported by Antara.
This ambition is not about image. Behind the decision to keep playing with full enthusiasm lies strategic considerations: building momentum, testing squad depth, and providing meaningful playing time for young players. This philosophy aligns with initial steps beginning to appear in some Liga 1 clubs โ yet it is not yet a systematic culture at the national team level.
Mentality That Can't Be Bought with Results
For Nagelsmann, victory is not the only measure. He also uses every match as a test of tactical endurance, uncompromising rotation on quality, and an opportunity to strengthen the identity of play. A similar approach could serve as a real reference for the Indonesian National Team coaches, especially when facing the AFF Cup or World Cup qualifiers. There, the mentality of "no match is unimportant" must be instilled from an early age โ not just taught, but consistently practiced.
In Indonesia, there is still a tendency to lower intensity once the ticket to the next round is secured. As a result, the team's rhythm breaks down, confidence wavers, and performance collapses in the knockout phase. National football analysts call this phenomenon a structural psychological gap โ not a lack of talent, but a weakness in building long-term mental resilience. Emulating Nagelsmann's discipline is not about copying tactics, but emulating the way of thinking.
Supporters Who Learn While Supporting
Support from Indonesian fans for European teams, including Germany, remains strong โ not only from virtual stands, but also from coffee shops, online discussion forums, and youth coaching training classes. The presence of Nagelsmann, a 37-year-old coach who relies on data analysis, smart rotation, and the development of young players' character, has sparked new interest. Many are observing how he builds a squad without relying on big names, but rather on mental readiness and tactical sharpness.
This phenomenon shows that the enthusiasm of Indonesian supporters is no longer merely emotional โ it is becoming reflective. They do not just watch, but also take notes, compare, and connect. And from there, hope arises: that Nagelsmann's never-say-die spirit is not only watched, but adopted โ starting from grassroots training fields to federation meeting rooms.
Foundations Built Every Minute
More broadly, Nagelsmann's approach reflects the basic principle of building world-class sports: consistency is more important than flash results. Germany did not rise overnight. They improved their grassroots system over many years โ from coach curricula, academy facility standards, to an uncompromising post-match evaluation culture. Indonesia needs the same: a competitive domestic league, character-based youth development, and an environment that values hard work over instant results.
Small steps, such as maintaining intensity in every match โ even when the victory no longer determines advancement โ are the first bricks in building that foundation. Because football is not just about the final score. It is about how a team chooses to play when there is no pressure โ and what they show when no one is watching.